Back to school printables with your child's name

What is in this back to school printable set?

Three pages that cover the photo, the shopping and the first few weeks. They are built from what you type, so the sign shows your child's real name and grade, the supply list can be your school's own list, and the routine chart uses the steps your family actually follows.

It is free, works in your browser and needs no account. Print on A4 or US Letter, or save a PDF.

• First day of school sign: name, grade, school year, age, teacher and "When I grow up I want to be".
• School supply checklist: a general starting list, or your school's list typed in.
• Weekly after-school routine chart: steps down the side, Monday to Friday across, a box to tick for each.

What goes on a first day of school sign?

The sign reads "My first day of" with the grade in large letters, then your child's name. Below that are five lines: the school year, their age, their teacher, what they want to be when they grow up and one thing they are excited about. Fill in as many as you like in the maker, and leave the rest to write by hand.

Take the photo in the same spot each year with the same sign layout, and the pictures line up nicely in an album. The "when I grow up" answer is the one families tend to love looking back on.

1. Fill in the name, grade and school year the night before.
2. Print on heavier paper or card so the sign does not flop.
3. Let your child write the "I am excited about" line in their own handwriting.
4. Take the photo before you leave the house, when there is still time.

How do I use the school supply checklist?

If your school or teacher has sent a supply list, type it into the maker, one item per line, and it prints as a checklist with tick boxes. You can add up to 30 items. That way you shop from exactly what the school asked for, in two clear columns.

If you do not have a list yet, the page starts with a general one: backpack, lunch box, water bottle, pencils, glue sticks and so on. Schools ask for different things, so treat it as a starting point and check your own school's list when it arrives. There are also short sections for clothes and shoes, and for forms and paperwork.

• Check last year's supplies at home before you shop.
• Label everything with your child's name, especially water bottles and jackets.
• Keep the checklist in your bag so you can tick things off in the store.

How does the after-school routine chart work?

The chart lists steps down the left side and the school days across the top. Each square has a box to tick. The default steps are unpack the backpack and lunch box, snack, homework, reading, play outside, pack the bag for tomorrow and lay out clothes. Type your own steps, up to nine, to replace them.

At the bottom are two rows to write in each day's club or activity and who is doing pick-up, which helps on the busy days. A box at the end asks "This week I am proud of" so the week finishes on a good note.

Print a fresh copy every week, or slip one into a plastic sleeve and use a dry-erase pen.

How can I make the first week of school easier?

The first week is mostly about routine. Children are tired, there is new information every day and a lot of forms come home. A few small habits make it calmer for everyone.

Use the routine chart from the first day rather than waiting until things go wrong. Keep the supply checklist handy, because teachers often ask for one or two extra things once they meet the class.

• Do a practice run of the morning, including the trip to school, a few days before.
• Set out clothes and pack the bag the night before.
• Make a single spot by the door for backpacks, shoes and anything that needs signing.
• Ask one open question after school, like "What was the best part of today?", instead of "How was school?"
• Plan a quiet first weekend so everyone can rest.

When does school start in 2027?

There is no single date. In the US, each district sets its own calendar, and first days usually fall somewhere between early August and early September. Schools in other countries follow their own term dates. Check your district or school calendar for the real date.

The countdown on this page runs to mid August 2027 as a rough guide, not as your child's start date.

Printing tips and privacy

Choose A4 or US Letter before printing. The sign looks best on card stock. The checklist and routine chart are fine on plain paper. Use the ink saver if you print the chart every week.

Your child's name and answers stay in the link after the # in your browser. They are never sent to a server or stored on our side. Bookmark the page and you can update the grade next year and print again.